Research

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The Unit specialises in constitutional reform and comparative constitutional studies. Over the years we have done detailed work on every aspect of the UK government’s constitutional reform programme: on devolution, the Human Rights Act, reform of the House of Lords, parliamentary reform, the new Supreme Court, new voting systems, the conduct of referendums, regulation of elections and political parties, constitutional watchdogs, freedom of information. We specialise in comparative studies, learning lessons from overseas and the different jurisdictions within the UK, and we have developed wide networks of national and international experts.

Our current major areas of research are: freedom of information and data protection; devolution and territorial politics; parliament and parliamentary reform; and church and state. In the recently published Constitutional Futures Revisited we step back to survey the constitution as a whole. We also take a close interest in the Governance of Britain agenda. Meg Russell is currently working on several research projects funded by an ESRC Fellowship.

The Unit conducts research, or has conducted research in the following fields:

We are always looking for collaborators for our research projects. If you might be able to help in our research please contact Robert Hazell. The Unit’s senior researchers and associates are also pleased to undertake consultancy assignments, in the UK or overseas.

This page last modified 9 April, 2010 by v.spence@ucl.ac.uk